Mohlmann was taken to Carroll County General Hospital and transferred to Maryland Shock Trauma Center with a gunshot wound to the head. Police delayed confirmation of her death to notify her parents, who were returning from out of the country.

Investigators questioned and released a 19-year-old woman and 20-year-old man, identified as friends of Mohlmann's who were at the home when the handgun discharged, according to the police. Neither was charged.

"It appears to be an unintentional shooting, but we are not ruling anything out," said Maj. Greg Shipley, a state police spokesman.

A search-and-seizure warrant for the Winterberry Court address was issued -- routine in this type of case -- and a handgun was recovered, said Lt. Terry L. Katz, the Westminster barracks commander. He refused to identify the weapon, which was sent for ballistics testing.

The state police's Special Investigation Support Unit, which handles major crimes, was assigned to assist the Westminster barracks. Eight investigators and three uniformed police officers, as well as evidence technicians, were on the scene yesterday, Katz said. Their findings and the ballistics reports will be referred to the Carroll County state's attorney.